Umstead 100 Mile Endurance Run

4 weeks til registration 😲

From Rhonda:
Superintendent Scott Letchworth has asked me to get out the word about a DNCR survey. The Park service is asking for our help in getting responses to their Summer Visitor Survey to ensure they have enough data to turn over to NC State to calculate State Parks local economic impact.

The park staff would be grateful if you filled out the survey. Please feel free to use your last visit to Umstead for your answers and to pass this on to any of your friends who visit the park.



Here is the link to the survey.

form.jotform.com

Reminder - deadline for applications for the BNMA award is August 28.

47 days until registration 😱 Are you starting training yet 😆 We will be posting more info as we get closer. Most of your questions should be answered on our website umstead100.org. Also reminder to Active duty military, if you are interested in the lottery for a free entry for 2027, info about the Blake Norwood memorial award is linked in the featured section above.

Blake Norwood Memorial Award
Blake Norwood was the founder of the Umstead 100 Mile Endurance Run, Race Director for 20 years until his retirement in 2014, and a retired Army Colonel who served with regular and reserve Army units. His vision to have an ultra which would encourage new runners to adopt the sport has resulted in the Umstead 100 becoming one of the most recognized hundred mile runs in the ultrarunning community.

In honor of Blake's commitment to the U.S. Armed Services, the North Carolina Ultra Running Association established the Blake Norwood Memorial Awards (BNMA).

For each Umstead 100 we'll randomly select 2 male and 2 female active duty members of the Armed Forces. Those selected will get a free race entry and all the good bits surrounding that.

Additional info and how to apply:

About the Blake Norwood Memorial Award Blake Norwood was the founder of the Umstead 100 Mile Endurance Run, Race Director for 20 years until his retirement in 2014, and a retired Army Colonel who served with regular and reserve Army units. His vision to have an ultra which would encourage new runners to adopt the sport has resulted in th...

From our dear friend and Race Weekend Registration Coordinator Linda Banks:

You know that thing someone said to you on the trail that you've never forgotten?

Or the words you kept repeating in your head when the wheels were coming off, and you still had miles to go?

I’m working on a project called Trail Truths, a small keepsake book of trail wisdom, mantras, moments, and lessons from the trail running community.

I’d really love input from this group because the Umstead 100 family has the stories, especially the ones that surface in the middle of the night when you're tired and just trying to get to the next aid station.

This is not a contest, and I’m not looking for perfect writing. It can be inspiring, funny, practical, messy, or one of those “you’re never gonna believe this happened” stories.

Give me the mantras, the advice, the aid station moments, the weird little moments, the words someone said when you needed them most, and the stories you’ve probably told a hundred times but never written down.

Your Trail Truth may have come from Umstead, another race, a training run, a volunteer shift, a pacer, a friend, or someone whose name you never even got.

If the trail taught you something that stayed with you, I’d love to read it.

Ways to share:

Comment on this Facebook post

Google Form: https://forms.gle/Tu8hyrGfoYMDTBoc6

Email: [email protected]

DM on Instagram:

I will personally read every submission. If something you share feels like a good fit for the book, I’ll reach out before anything goes to print.

Thank you for helping me shape this into something that reflects the heart of the Umstead 100 family.

Linda

Umstead staff working on mailing your certificates and pictures!

Just a reminder, if you have not already - whether your were a participant, family, crew or volunteer - please take a minute to take our survey. We strive at continuous improvement and your input is very valuable. Thank You !

2026 Umstead 100 Post-Race Survey